Produce weighing scale with a camera and methods of operating a produce weighing scale having a camera

ABSTRACT

A produce weighing scale is provided for a retail grocery store. The produce weighing scale comprises a base, a weighing platform disposed on the base, and a touchscreen arranged to enable a retail customer to enter produce data associated with a produce item and to view display screens which contains instructions to operate the produce weighing scale. An actuatable camera is positioned over the weighing platform and is provided for, when actuated, capturing at least a partial image of a produce item which has been placed on the weighing platform. Electronic control circuitry is arranged to (i) provide an actuation signal to actuate the camera in response to a retail customer placing a produce item on the weighing platform, and (ii) display a barcode chit on the touchscreen to allow a retail customer to self-scan the displayed barcode chit without having to print the barcode chit.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to produce weighing scales, and isparticularly directed to a produce weighing scale having a camera andmethods of operating a produce weighing scale having a camera.

A typical produce weighing scale is located in the produce section of aretail grocery store, and is intended for use by retail store clerks. Aretail store clerk weighs a produce item which is desired to bepurchased by a retail customer, waits for a barcode chit to print, andthen adhesively attaches the printed barcode chit to a bag or wrap whichcontains the produce item. When the customer is ready to checkout, thecustomer takes the bag or wrap to a self-service checkout pay stationand scans the printed barcode chit. A drawback in this case is that aretail store clerk is needed to weigh the produce item. Another drawbackis that a barcode chit needs to be printed and then adhesively attachedto the bag or wrap which contains the produce item.

In some retail grocery stores, a produce weighing scale is located atthe self-service checkout pay station. In this case, the customer weighsthe produce item to be purchased when the customer checks out at theself-service checkout pay station. A drawback in this case is that thecustomer needs to handle produce items in a way which is different fromthe way in which non-produce items are handled. Another drawback is thatthe customer does not know the price of the produce item until thecustomer checks out at the self-service checkout pay station.

In some other retail stores, a customer may use a portable barcode gunto self scan items including produce items to be purchased. The customercan self scan items either before the customer arrives at theself-service checkout pay station or at the time when the customerarrives at the self-service checkout pay station. In the former case, aretail store clerk weighs the produce item on a produce weighing scalelocated in the produce section of the retail grocery store. In thelatter case, the customer weighs the produce item on a produce weighingscale located at the self-service checkout pay station. In either ofthese two cases, the same drawbacks just described hereinabove arepresent. It would be desirable to provide an improved produce weighingscale and methods of operating such a produce weighing scale so that thecustomer need not have to handle produce items in a different way fromnon-produce items and so that barcode chits need not have to be printedfor produce items.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a produceweighing scale is provided for a retail grocery store. The produceweighing scale comprises a base, a weighing platform disposed on thebase, a touchscreen arranged to enable a retail customer to enterproduce data associated with a produce item and to view display screenswhich contains instructions to operate the produce weighing scale, anactuatable camera positioned over the weighing platform and for, whenactuated, capturing at least a partial image of a produce item which hasbeen placed on the weighing platform, and electronic control circuitryarranged to (i) provide an actuation signal to actuate the camera inresponse to a retail customer placing a produce item on the weighingplatform, and (ii) display a barcode chit on the touchscreen to allow aretail customer to self-scan the displayed barcode chit without havingto print the barcode chit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating various store components locatedin different sections of a retail grocery store;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic block diagram of a produce weighing scalewhich is used in the retail grocery store of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of electronic control circuitrywhich is used in the produce weighing scale of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting operation of the produce weighing scaleof FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view of a first customer instruction screen displayed on atouchscreen of the produce weighing scale of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, and showing a second customerinstruction screen displayed on the touchscreen;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, and showing a third customerinstruction screen including a barcode chit which is displayed on thetouchscreen;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the barcode chit which appears in thethird customer instruction screen of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting steps undertaken by a retail customerusing the produce weighing scale of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a self-service checkout pay station which can be used by theretail customer of FIG. 9 to pay for purchase of a produce item;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting operation of the self-service checkoutpay station of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram which illustrates in one figure therelationships of the various store components of FIG. 1 and certaininteraction and communication steps from the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 9,and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to produce weighing scales, and isparticularly directed to a produce weighing scale having a camera andmethods of operating a produce weighing scale having a camera.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system diagram illustrates various storecomponents located in different sections of a retail grocery store 10.The retail grocery store 10 includes a store entrance section 20 inwhich a number of portable barcode guns are located. For simplicity,only one portable barcode gun is shown in FIG. 1, and is designated withreference numeral “22”. When a retail customer 12 enters the storeentrance section 20 of the retail grocery store 10, the retail customerobtains the portable barcode gun 22 and uses the portable barcode gun toself scan barcoded items as is known.

The retail grocery store 10 further includes a store back section 30 inwhich a barcode gun server 32 is located. The portable barcode gun 22and the barcode gun server 32 comprise a portable barcode gun system inwhich barcodes scanned by the portable barcode gun 22 are wirelesslytransmitted to the barcode gun server 32. Structure and operation ofsuch portable barcode gun systems are well known and, therefore, willnot be described.

The retail grocery store 10 also includes a store exit section 40 inwhich a self-service checkout pay station 42 is located. Theself-service checkout pay station 42 may comprise any type ofself-service terminal at which the customer 12 can checkout and pay forgrocery items. A store attendant 14 is usually in the vicinity of theself-service checkout pay station 42 to assist customers as needed.

The retail grocery store 10 further includes a store produce section 50in which a produce weighing scale 52 is located. As shown in FIG. 2, theproduce weighing scale 52 includes a base 54 over which a substantiallyplanar-shaped weighing platform 55 is disposed. A weight sensor 56 islocated beneath the weighing platform 55. The weight sensor 56 providesan electrical output signal indicative of weight of a produce which hasbeen placed onto the weighing platform 55, as is known. A touchscreen 58acts as a user interface and enables the retail customer 12 to interactwith the produce weighing scale 52 in a manner to be described later.

A first support arm 61 extends substantially vertically from the base54, and a second support arm 62 extends substantially transverse to thefirst support arm 61. Accordingly, the second support arm 62 extendssubstantially horizontally relative to the weighing platform 55. Asshown in FIG. 2, an actuatable electronic camera 60 is disposed at adistal end of the second support arm 62. The length of the first supportarm 61 and the length of the second support arm 62 are selected suchthat the camera 60 is positioned over the weighing platform 55 tocapture at least a partial image of a produce item which has been placedon the weighing platform 55. The camera 60 may be positioned over theweighing platform 55 such that a full image of a produce item iscaptured when the produce item is placed on the weighing platform 55.The camera 60 may be a digital color camera or a digital black and whitecamera. The camera 60 may be a webcam type of camera which is turned onall of the time, but which captures a still-image of a produce itemwhenever a trigger signal is provided to actuate the camera.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, electronic control circuitry 64 is providedfor controlling operation of the produce weighing scale 52. Electroniccontrol circuitry 64 may be disposed in an interior chamber of the base54 as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, electronic control circuitry64 includes an electronic processor 66, a memory 68 which storesinstructions of an application program 70, and a wireless communicationscircuit 72. The electronic processor 66 executes instructions of theapplication program 70 to process a number of electrical input signalsreceived from the weight sensor 56, the touchscreen 58, the camera 60,and the wireless communications circuit 72. The electronic processor 66then provides a number of electrical output signals to provide outputdisplay screens on the touchscreen 58, to control operation of thewireless communications circuit 72, and to control operation of thecamera 60 in a manner to be described later. Structure an operation ofelectronic processors, memories, weight sensors, touchscreens, cameras,and wireless communications circuits are known and, therefore, will notbe described.

The camera 60 and the processor 66 may be hardwired to communicate witheach other. In this case, the hardwire connections may be contained in anumber of wiring harnesses which pass through interior chambers of thefirst and second support arms 61, 62. Alternatively, the camera 60 andthe processor 66 may wirelessly communicate with each other. In thiscase, suitable electronics are provided to support wirelesscommunications between the camera 60 and the processor 66.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart 100 depicts operation of the produceweighing scale 52 in accordance with instructions of the applicationprogram 70 stored in the memory 68. A prompt on touchscreen 58 initiallyprompts the customer 12 to select the type of the produce item to beweighed (step 102). This prompt may be in the form of a first displayscreen 80, such as shown in FIG. 5, which requests the customer 12 toenter the Universal Product Code (UPC) associated with the particularproduce item desired to be weighed. As shown in FIG. 5, the firstdisplay screen 80 comprises text 81 which requests the customer 12 toenter the UPC on line 82 by pressing numbers on digit pad 83 and thenpressing “Enter” key 84. A “Cancel” key 85 is provided in case thecustomer 12 presses an incorrect number on line 82 before pressing the“Enter” key 84.

After the customer 12 has selected the type of the produce item to beweighed, a second display screen 86, such as shown in FIG. 6, promptsthe customer 12 to place the produce item on the weighing platform 55 ofthe produce weighing scale 52 (step 104). As shown in FIG. 6, the seconddisplay screen 86 comprises text 88 which requests the customer 12 toplace the produce item to be weighed on the weighing platform 55 of theproduce weighing scale 52.

After the customer 12 has placed the produce item on the weighingplatform 55 of the produce weighing scale 52, the weight of the produceitem is determined (step 106) and the price of the produce item isdetermined (step 108). The price may be determined by multiplying theweight of the produce item (as indicated by the electrical output signalfrom the weight sensor 56) with a price/unit-of-weight value which isassociated with the particular produce item. The price/unit-of-weightvalue may be stored in the memory 68. Then, the camera 60 is actuated tocapture an image (i.e., an electronic picture) of the produce item (step110). The image of the produce item should be captured immediately afterthe price of the produce item is determined, which is essentiallyimmediately after the produce item has been placed on the weighingplatform 55 since it takes the electronic processor 66 only a relativelyshort amount of time (typically only a fraction of seconds) to determineboth the weight of the produce item and the price of the produce item.

After the price of the produce item is determined and the picture of theproduce item is captured, a third display screen 90 comprising a barcodechit 92, such as shown in FIG. 7, is displayed on the touchscreen 58(step 112). The third display screen 90 also prompts the customer 12 toscan the displayed barcode chit 92 which appears in the third displayscreen. As shown in FIG. 7, the third display screen 90 comprises text91 which requests the customer 12 to scan the displayed barcode chit 92and then to press “Done” key 93 after the barcode chit has been scanned.More specifically, the customer 12 uses the portable barcode gun 22(FIG. 1) to scan the displayed barcode chit 92 directly from the thirddisplay screen 90. Accordingly, no printout of the barcode chit 92 isneeded for scanning of the barcode chit to occur.

The barcode chit 92 appearing in the third display screen 90 on thetouchscreen 58 may comprise a number of different identifier parts. Asshown in the enlarged view of FIG. 8, the barcode chit 92 comprises fouridentifier parts. A first part “AA” identifies the item as a produceitem, a second part “BBB” identifies the type of the produce item, athird part “CCCCC” identifies the price of the produce item, and afourth part “DDDDD” identifies the particular produce weighing scale 52at which the produce item is being weighed. The fourth identifier part“DDDDD” is referred to herein as “the referral ID”, and use of thisreferral ID will be described later.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flowchart 200 depicts steps undertaken by thecustomer 12 in using the produce weighing scale 52. After the customer12 selects the type of the produce item to be weighed (step 202) andplaces the produce item on the weighing platform 55 of the produceweighing scale 52 (step 204), the customer sees the displayed barcodechit 92 (step 206) which appears in the third display screen 90 on thetouchscreen 58 as just described hereinabove. After the customer 12scans the displayed barcode chit 92 (step 208), the customer 12 proceedsto a self-service checkout pay station to make payment for purchase ofthe produce item.

When the customer 12 arrives at a self-service checkout pay station, thecustomer scans an “end of transaction” barcode using the portablebarcode gun 22 (step 210). There are a number of ways that this “end oftransaction” code can be provided. As an example, the “end oftransaction” barcode may be adhesively attached to the particularself-service checkout pay station at which the customer has arrived at.As another example, the “end of transaction” barcode may be supplied bythe store attendant 14 (FIG. 1) when the customer 12 arrives at aself-service checkout pay station. The scanning of an “end oftransaction” barcode signals the portable barcode gun 22 (and thereforesignals the barcode gun server 32) that the customer 12 is ready tocheckout at the particular self-service checkout pay station.

One type of self-service checkout pay station at which the customer 12can checkout is a “mini” checkout pay station, such as shown in FIG. 10and designated with reference numeral “250”. The mini station 250 mayinclude a shelf 252, a scanner/scale module 254, and a customerinterface terminal 256. Scanner/scale module 254 uses a laser shining ona glass or other transparent platen to input data from barcodes appliedto products or packages. Scanner/scale module 254 may also include ascale for measuring the weight of articles that are sold on aprice/unit-of-weight basis, such as some produce items. Customerinterface terminal 256 displays item data as it is entered through thescanner/scale module 254.

A bagging area 257 includes bags 258 for storing items that customershave scanned and weighed. The bags 258 are hung from hanging rails 260.A security scale 262 uses item weight data derived from scanner/scalemodule 254 or a database using a scanned UPC to verify that only theitems scanned are placed on the security scale. Security applicationprograms operating within customer interface terminal 256 monitor thesecurity scale 262 to determine whether items not scanned have beenadded to the security scale.

A card reader 264 enables the customer 12 to make payment for itemsusing a payment card. The card reader 264 may support credit card, debitcard, and other payment methods. A signature capture pad 266 isintegrated with the card reader 264. The signature capture pad 266captures a customer's signature while the customer 12 is conducting aself-service checkout transaction at the mini station 250.

An upper currency module 268 receives currency from the customer 12 aspayment for a transaction. A lower currency module 270 returns change tothe customer 12. A receipt printer module 272 has a receipt dispenseslot 274 through which a transaction receipt can be delivered to thecustomer 12. The receipt itemizes the items purchased and the method ofpayment.

Electronic control processor 276 required for station operation ishoused behind the customer interface terminal 256. The electroniccontrol processor 276 of the mini station 250 controls operation of awireless communication circuit 278 which communicates wirelessly withthe wireless communications circuit 72 (FIG. 3) of the produce weighingscale 52 and a wireless communications circuit (not shown) which isassociated with the barcode gun server 32 (FIG. 1). More specifically,after the “end of transaction” barcode is scanned (as was describedhereinabove in step 210 of the flowchart 200 of FIG. 9), the wirelesscommunications circuit 278 of the mini station 250 is triggered tocommunicate with both the wireless communications circuit 72 of theproduce weighing scale 52 and the wireless communications circuitassociated with the barcode gun server 32 in a manner to be described inthe flowchart 300 of FIG. 11 hereinbelow.

Referring to FIG. 11, the flowchart 300 depicts operation of the ministation 250 shown in FIG. 10. After a barcode list is received from thebarcode gun server 32 (step 304), a determination is made as to whetherthe barcode list contains a produce barcode chit (step 306). If thedetermination in step 306 is negative (i.e., the barcode list containsno produce barcode chit), then the process ends. However, if thedetermination in step 306 is affirmative (i.e., the barcode listcontains a produce barcode chit), the produce barcode chit is recognized(step 308). More specifically, the referral ID (i.e., the fourthidentifier part “DDDDD” of the barcode chit 92 shown in FIG. 8) isrecognized.

Based upon the referral ID which has been recognized in step 308,produce item information is requested via the wireless communicationscircuit 72 from the particular produce weighing scale at which a produceitem associated with the referral ID has been previously weighed (step310). In this example case, the produce item was previously weighed atthe produce weighing scale 52 which is shown in FIG. 2 and which hasbeen identified by the referral ID recognized in step 308. In step 312,the description of the produce item, the price of the produce item, andthe picture of the produce item are received from the produce weighingscale 52 to satisfy the request of step 310. The description of theproduce item, the price of the produce item, and the picture of theproduce item are then displayed on the customer interface terminal 256(FIG. 10) of the mini station 250 to allow the store attendant 14(FIG. 1) to verify that the picture of the produce item matches thecorresponding produce item which in possession of the customer 12 (step314).

A determination is then made in step 316 as to whether the barcode listof step 304 contains another produce barcode chit to be recognized. Ifthe determination in step 316 is affirmative (i.e., the barcode listcontains another produce barcode chit to be recognized), then theprocess returns to step 308 to recognize the corresponding referral IDassociated with this next produce barcode chit. However, if thedetermination in step 316 is negative (i.e., the barcode list does notcontain another produce barcode chit to be recognized), then the processends.

After prices of all items including any produce items are tallied, thecustomer 12 proceeds to make payment for purchase of the items. Paymentis effected at the mini station 250 using either cash or a payment cardin known manner. After making payment, the customer 12 can leave theretail grocery store 10.

Referring to FIG. 12, a sequence diagram illustrates in one figure therelationships of the various store components of the retail grocerystore shown in FIG. 1, and some of the interaction and communicationsteps from the flowchart 100 of FIG. 4 which depicts operation of theproduce weighing scale 52, the flowchart 200 of FIG. 9 which depictssteps undertaken by the customer 12, and the flowchart 300 of FIG. 11which depicts operation of the mini station 250 of FIG. 10. Referencenumerals shown in FIG. 12 correspond to same reference numerals shown inFIGS. 1, 4, 9, and 11.

It should be apparent that co-operation of the produce weighing scale 52and the mini station 250 described hereinabove allows the customer 12 topurchase a produce item without any assistance from a store clerk. Astore clerk is not responsible for weighing a produce item desired to bepurchased by the customer 12. The customer 12 is able to use theportable barcode gun 22 to ring up all items including produce items,and then to make payment at the mini station 250 without having tohandle produce items in a different way from non-produce items.Moreover, the customer 12 does not need to weigh produce items atcheckout, and does not need to remove produce items from a shoppingcart. The result is an uninterrupted flow of a self scanning transactionof all items (i.e., both non-produce items and produce items) using theportable barcode gun 22.

It should further be apparent that co-operation of the produce weighingscale 52 and the mini station 250 described hereinabove requires nobarcode chit to be printed on paper. The customer 12 simply uses theportable barcode gun 22 and scans the barcode chit 92 directly fromdisplay screen 90 on the touchscreen 58. Since the produce weighingscale 52 needs no paper, there is no paper costs associated withoperation thereof.

It should also be apparent that the customer 12 is able to see the priceof the produce item before checkout. This feature is beneficial overknown store systems in which produce items are weighed on a produceweighing scale which is located at a self-service checkout pay station.In these known store systems, a customer may not see the price of aproduce item until the customer checks out at the self-service checkoutpay station.

Although the above description describes the produce weighing scale 52prompting the customer 12 to select the produce type before promptingthe customer to place the produce item on the produce weighing scale, itis conceivable that the produce weighing scale prompt the customer toplace the produce item on the produce weighing scale before promptingthe customer to select the produce type. Moreover, although the abovedescription describes a display screen in which the customer selects theproduce type by entering a UPC, it is conceivable that the customer mayselect the produce type in a different way. For example, the customermay select the produce type by selecting a picture of a produce itemfrom a number of different pictures of produce items on the displayscreen.

Although the above description describes the communications circuit 72of the produce weighing scale 52 as being wireless and thecommunications circuit 278 of the mini station 250 as being wireless, itis conceivable that both of these communications circuits be physicallyhardwired to each other. As an example, the communications circuit 72and the communications circuit 278 may be hardwired to each other via astandard Ethernet link. Moreover, it is conceivable that thecommunications circuit 278 of the mini station 250 may be hardwired to acommunications circuit (not shown) which is associated with the barcodegun server 32.

Also, although the above description describes the barcode chit 92 ashaving four identifier parts, it is conceivable that the barcode chithave a different number of identifier parts. As an example, the firstidentifier part “AA” may not be needed if it can be inferred from thesecond identifier part “BBB” that the item in question is a produceitem. As another example, additional identifier parts may be added asdesired.

Further, although the above description describes the mini station 250being used, it is conceivable that another type of self-service checkoutpay station may be used. As an example, a full-featured type ofself-service checkout pay station may be used. As another example, abare-minimum type of self-service checkout pay station may be used. Sucha bare-minimum checkout pay station may comprise only a payment terminalwith no scanners, no scales, and no bagging area.

The particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative onlyand not limiting as to the scope of the invention. From the abovedescription, those skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Numeroussubstitutions and modifications can be undertaken without departing fromthe true spirit and scope of the invention. Such improvements, changesand modifications within the skill of the art to which the presentinvention relates are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

1. A produce weighing scale in a produce section which is remote from astore exit section of a retail grocery store, the produce weighing scalecomprising: a base; a weighing platform disposed on the base; atouchscreen arranged to enable a retail customer in the produce sectionof the retail grocery store to enter produce data associated with aproduce item and to view display screens which contains instructions tooperate the produce weighing scale; an actuatable picture camerapositioned over the weighing platform and for, when actuated, capturingat least a partial electronic picture of a produce item which has beenplaced on the weighing platform; and electronic control circuitryincluding (i) a communications circuit which can electronicallycommunicate over a store communications network with a communicationscircuit of a self-service checkout pay station in the store exit sectionof the retail grocery store, and (ii) an electronic processor which isarranged to provide an actuation signal to actuate the picture camera tocapture at least a partial electronic picture of a produce item whichhas been placed by a retail customer on the weighing platform, anddisplay a barcode chit on the touchscreen to allow a retail customer toself-scan the displayed barcode chit without having to print the barcodechit.
 2. A produce weighing scale according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic processor is arranged to provide the actuation signal toactuate the picture camera immediately in response to a produce itembeing placed on the weighing platform.
 3. A produce weighing scaleaccording to claim 1, wherein the communications circuit comprises awireless communications circuit arranged to wirelessly communicate overa store communications network with a wireless communications circuit ofa self-service checkout pay station in the store exit section of theretail grocery store.
 4. A produce weighing scale according to claim 1,wherein the picture camera comprises a color digital picture camera. 5.A produce weighing scale in a produce section which is remote from astore exit section of a retail grocery store, the produce weighing scalecomprising: a base; a weighing platform disposed on the base; a userinterface arranged to enable a retail customer in the produce section ofthe retail grocery store to interact with the produce weighing scale; afirst support arm which extends substantially vertically from the base;a second support arm which extends substantially transverse relative tothe first support arm and which extends substantially horizontallyrelative to the weighing platform; an actuatable picture camera disposedat a distal end of the second support arm and positioned over theweighing platform and for, when actuated, capturing at least a partialelectronic picture of a produce item which has been placed on theweighing platform; and electronic control circuitry including (i) acommunications circuit which can electronically communicate over a storecommunications network with a communications circuit of a self-servicecheckout pay station in the store exit section of the retail grocerystore, and (ii) an electronic processor which is arranged to provide anactuation signal to actuate the picture camera to capture at least apartial electronic picture of a produce item which has been placed by aretail customer on the weighing platform.
 6. A produce weighing scaleaccording to claim 5, wherein the first and second support armsco-operate to support the picture camera over the weighing platform. 7.A produce weighing scale according to claim 6, wherein length of thefirst support arm and length of the second support arm are selected suchthat the picture camera captures a full captured electronic picture of aproduce item when the picture camera is actuated in response to theproduce item being placed on the weighing platform.
 8. A produceweighing scale according to claim 5, wherein the electronic processor isarranged to provide the actuation signal to actuate the picture cameraimmediately in response to a produce item being placed on the weighingplatform.
 9. A produce weighing scale according to claim 5, wherein thecommunications circuit comprises a wireless communications circuitarranged to wirelessly communicate over a store communications networkwith a wireless communications circuit of a self-service checkout paystation in the store exit section of the retail grocery store.
 10. Aproduce weighing scale according to claim 5, wherein the user interfacecomprises a touchscreen for enabling a retail customer to enter producedata associated with a produce item and to view display screens whichcontain instructions to operate the produce weighing scale.
 11. Aproduce weighing scale according to claim 5, wherein the picture cameracomprises a color digital picture camera.
 12. A method of operating aproduce weighing scale in a produce section which is remote from a storeexit section of a retail grocery store and having a weighing platform,an actuatable picture camera positioned over the weighing platform, anda touchscreen for enabling a retail customer to interact with theproduce weighing scale, the method comprising: generating an actuationsignal in response to a retail customer placing a produce item on theweighing platform; applying the actuation signal to the picture camerato actuate the picture camera so that picture camera can capture atleast a partial electronic picture of the produce item which has beenplaced on the weighing platform; and electronically transmitting thecaptured electronic picture of the produce item over a storecommunications network to a self-service checkout pay station in thestore exit section of the retail grocery store when a request isreceived from the self-service checkout pay station in response to theretail customer interacting with the self-service checkout pay stationto make payment for purchase of the produce item.
 13. A method ofoperating a produce weighing scale according to claim 12, furthercomprising displaying a barcode chit to allow the retail customer toself-scan the displayed barcode chit without any assistance from aretail store clerk.
 14. A method of operating a produce weighing scaleaccording to claim 12, further comprising displaying a barcode chit toallow the retail customer to self-scan the displayed barcode chitwithout having to print the barcode chit.
 15. A method of operating aproduce weighing scale according to claim 12, further comprisingdisplaying a barcode chit to allow the retail customer to self-scan thedisplayed barcode chit without any assistance from a retail store clerkand without having to print the barcode chit.
 16. A method of operatinga produce weighing scale according to claim 12, wherein electronicallytransmitting the captured electronic picture of the produce item over astore communications network to a self-service checkout pay stationcomprises wirelessly transmitting the captured electronic picture of theproduce item over a store communications network to a self-servicecheckout pay station when a request signal is received from theself-service checkout pay station in response to the retail customerinteracting with the self-service checkout pay station to make paymentfor purchase of the produce item.
 17. A method of operating a produceweighing scale according to claim 12, wherein the actuation signal tothe picture camera is provided immediately in response to the produceitem being placed onto the weighing platform.
 18. A method of operatinga produce weighing scale according to claim 12, wherein the capturedelectronic picture comprises a color electronic picture of the produceitem.
 19. A method of operating a produce weighing scale according toclaim 18, wherein the captured electronic picture comprises a fullelectronic picture of the produce item.
 20. A method of operating aproduce weighing scale according to claim 16, further comprisingwirelessly transmitting description and price of the produce item overthe store communications network to the self-service checkout paystation when the request signal is received from the self-servicecheckout pay station in response to the retail customer interacting withthe self-service checkout pay station to make payment for purchase ofthe produce item.